Feature by Robin Smith

Kids love monsters. Actually, kids like the idea of monsters, along with that delicious feeling of being a little bit scared. However, at midnight, a child’s fear of monsters doesn’t seem quite so adorable, does it? Here are a few books to send a shiver of fear down a child’s spine without disturbing too much sleep.A GENTLE GIANTOne of my favorite books of the season is...

Inspired by the childhood of Jane Goodall

If you read this fantastic new picture book to children, I suggest you put off telling them who the knobby-kneed girl on the title page really is. Then, when you’ve read Me . . . Jane from beginning to end, they’ll want to hear every word of the author’s note to learn more about the book’s title character, Jane Goodall.Patrick...

Holiday cheer from Patrick McDonnell

What marks the start of the holiday season for you?Drawing the MUTTS holiday comic strips. In doing a daily comic I need to be between five and eight weeks ahead of the publication date, so I start playing holiday music and thinking about the holidays as early as October. I love the holiday season and always look forward to it.Does your family...